S.A.M.B.A.'s speaker gets (deliberately?) misquoted.

[jason_contentdg]

Yeah, I'm ok with us maintaining the alleys, but unlit alleyways seems like more of a detriment to Springfield, then say a car wash. But it seems there's hardly any information out there so far, or any sort of organized group to try and keep the alleyways lit.

[cindi]

Sounds like a job for a merchant's association like SAMBA. This could also be something that could help grow the group's membership and influence.

Obviously worth looking into, I'll bring it up at the next meeting.

On another note, is it true the JEA will no longer be servicing the alley ways and the city will no longer be maintaining them soon?

The city's latest position is that they have no responsibility for maintaining the alleys and that the adjoining property owners are responsible for doing so.  I'm attending a Springfield Alley taskforce meeting this week so will know more in a couple of days.

Regarding trash on main street:  of course the city should be responsible for trash pickup (what else are those controversial garbage fees for?).  But if they are not handling it, both SAMBA and SPAR should get involved.  Clean street is good for business and good for the nearby residential neighborhoods.

This has been the traditional viewpoint on the alleys, they only reason that the city agreed to do it was because there had been 40 years of neglect that had made many of the alleys literally unpassable.

John Curtain agreed to work on the alleys until they were clean again.

The trash on Main Street is unconscionable however.  The city removed a bunch of the trash cans, and they got out of the habit of picking up the trash.

Its definitely one of the side effects of having so few open businesses on the strip.

one of the problems seems to be they (JEA) isn't giving us an opportunity to take care of them ourselves (sans city).  we are told we can NOT even pay for lights in the alley.

[samiam]

Sounds like a job for a merchant's association like SAMBA. This could also be something that could help grow the group's membership and influence.

Obviously worth looking into, I'll bring it up at the next meeting.

On another note, is it true the JEA will no longer be servicing the alley ways and the city will no longer be maintaining them soon?

The city's latest position is that they have no responsibility for maintaining the alleys and that the adjoining property owners are responsible for doing so.  I'm attending a Springfield Alley taskforce meeting this week so will know more in a couple of days.

Regarding trash on main street:  of course the city should be responsible for trash pickup (what else are those controversial garbage fees for?).  But if they are not handling it, both SAMBA and SPAR should get involved.  Clean street is good for business and good for the nearby residential neighborhoods.

This has been the traditional viewpoint on the alleys, they only reason that the city agreed to do it was because there had been 40 years of neglect that had made many of the alleys literally unpassable.

John Curtain agreed to work on the alleys until they were clean again.

The trash on Main Street is unconscionable however.  The city removed a bunch of the trash cans, and they got out of the habit of picking up the trash.

Its definitely one of the side effects of having so few open businesses on the strip.

one of the problems seems to be they (JEA) isn't giving us an opportunity to take care of them ourselves (sans city).  we are told we can NOT even pay for lights in the alley.

If they did go to the owners of the adjoining property it could spell trouble for the people that use them to drive into there garages

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

i thought i had something to add to this discussion, but the idea ov the city saying that lighting the alleyways isn't their responsibility leaves me bereft ov (intelligent) speech...all i can say is:  really?  where do they get this stuff?

[thelakelander]

Instead of all the petty Springfield arguments that have been taking place online, this is the type of stuff people should be rallying against.  What type of insane argument can a city come up with in a logical fashion to not maintain public infrastructure?  If its to save a buck, they'll save more by not lighting up expressways like 9A or the Outer Beltway.  As an owner of a property adjacent to an alley, this is a serious concern.  Even with lights, you'll be suprised what goes on in them.  I would hate to image the public safety issue of having blocks and blocks of unmaintained public alleys.  You want to kill revitalization? Not maintaining public infrastructure would be a great start.

[fsu813]

My alley hasn't been maintained for a long time. We do it ourselves.

Thought that was standard in the neighborhood?

[Dan B]

^ I also have always taken care of mine as well.

Lake, I agree, its frustrating that the city isnt taking care of it, but then again, how hard is it to run a mower up it once a month, and pick up the trash?

The allys that are in bad shape, are that way because nobody along it feels ownership.

However, to Cindi's point, there are allys that receive upkeep from neighbors that need some extra love (like in Hampsterdam). JEA should NOT step in the way of these owners who are willing to pay for extra lighting.

[fsujax]

I have maintained my alley from day one! mowing, weed eating, picking up trash, etc.!

[jason_contentdg]

Again, my issue is not lack of maintenance, but the fact JEA will no longer light the alleyways, even if residents are willing to pay. Of course, if a neighborhood organization facilitated between JEA and the residents, that may change JEA's stance...

[thelakelander]

My alley is concrete and while maintaining it may be easy, that's not the point.  When did it become acceptable to pay taxes but let the city off the hook on maintaining their own infrastructure?

[jason_contentdg]

^Well, this isn't the first case obviously, which is why I always cringe when land is turned into a park.  I love parks as much as the next guy, but when you can't maintain the existing base of parks, why build more?

Also, this thread has certainly left the topic behind...

[cindi]

i think "maintaining" is a shared neighbor responsibility (ie garbage etc), i have no problem with that.  my huge concern is the lighting.  we have a pole behind my house (not actually on my property) that is evidently a "phone pole" (confirmed by JEA) and some other random poles that i had requested a big light be put on at my expense - nope, they wont do it.  even if it is an existing jea pole - they said that program is no longer.  as someone that has a house sitting directly on an alley - without lights - i can't imagine what is going to happen.  i absolutely hate the alley as it is - it is nothing more that a place for open drugs and hooking.  turn the lights completely off and i don't even want to think about it.

[fsu813]

^Well, this isn't the first case obviously, which is why I always cringe when land is turned into a park.  I love parks as much as the next guy, but when you can't maintain the existing base of parks, why build more?

Also, this thread has certainly left the topic behind...

Yeah, what happend to me lying? (ha)

But seriously.....

These are the types of issues a neigborhood organization could possibly have an impact on. But discussing it on message boards won't accomplish anything. People have to actually participate in an organization, get involved, show up to meetings, go to the office, let others know why it's important to you, etc. Then you can use the org to lobby on your behalf, if enough people feel the same way.

Many people have thier own pet projects in the neighborhood. Doesn't seem like this one has an owner yet.

[Miss Fixit]

Springfield has an alley task force, organized by SPAR, that is working with the city and JEA in connection with the alleys.  

Last week I independently contacted my city councilman and was emailed a copy of a florida statute related to dedication of alleys that his aide used to defend the position that the city had no responsbility to maintain the alleys.  The aide explained that the city believes adjacent landowners should maintain the alleys.

[cindi]

Springfield has an alley task force, organized by SPAR, that is working with the city and JEA in connection with the alleys. 

Last week I independently contacted my city councilman and was emailed a copy of a florida statute related to dedication of alleys that his aide used to defend the position that the city had no responsbility to maintain the alleys.  The aide explained that the city believes adjacent landowners should maintain the alleys.

that is a very slippery slope when you pull public safety into it.  again, the actual "maintaining it" in regards to the garbage etc is not an issue - the no lighting and no way for we as homeowners that border alleys to get lighting, HUGE problem. 
guess i will just order body bags in bulk, trust me it will not take long before they (the alleys) turn into the wild wild west when it goes dark.